memorials springing up all over town. he was buried wearing some of his favorite team memorabilia. i neighborhood -- neighboring monroe, another 6-year-old described his sister as his best friend. she and his other 8-year-old sister were in other classrooms and the survived. >> i kept thinking, i am coming for you, honey. >> the parents of 6-year-old jessica rico say it helps to think about how she was even as they processed their grief. >> [indiscernible] >> surrounded by daughters from their blended family, the husband of the principal says

that he struggled with anger that his wife put herself in danger. >> she confronted the gunmen. >> his anger disappeared when he heard from those she saved. >> so, i'm not angry any more. i'm just very sad. >> he met his wife at the middle school where he still teaches. friday, he was told that something was happening at sandy hook and his wife had been killed. the connecticut governor says it is time to get the act together when it comes to gun control. >> thank you, rebecca. we're learning more about the sandy hook shooter, adam lanza. divorce papers show that his mother, nancy lanza gain custody when he and his father divorced in 2009. the divorce agreement makes no mention of mental health issues.

he was expected to connecticut state university when he was only 16. he was part of a small number of 16-year-old among the 5000 undergraduates. he took his last class in 2009 and had not returned. >> as the community deals with tremendous loss, a local d.c. woman tries to help them cope. >> alison, there are a number of people from our region who love come here to help out in newtown. we earlier talks with an area from the baltimore area who came with the red cross to try to call about. they are among the hundreds of people who came here to try to give aid. the memorial near the elementary school continues to grow as the community tries to make sense of how anyone could murder 26 people.

>> she did not contain per motion. >> it is just not right. i do not know what to say. they are just little babies. >> three days after six adults and 20 children were murdered, grief is still everywhere in newtown. >> it is beyond words to describe the level of the tragedy for this community for these families. it is just beyond a terrific. >> she is with save the children which has set up a program at this newtown middle school for kids to play while their parents receive much- needed counseling. many of the youngsters were inside sandy hook elementary when the murders happened. >> it is a friendly environment here. >> to give them a place where they can feel safe, where they can have their child would back. >> he has lived in newtown for

20 years. >> i talked to my daughter last night. that was her kindergarten classroom. it really brings it home. >> judy is a clinical psychologist who has been helping at the school. >> these kids were so young that they are not really verbalizing. they will be acting out a lot of their feelings through their plight. >> healing will take many years but at least on this monday, there is a sense it has begun. >> you see those lights in the distance. it is just a short distance down that road where sandy hook elementary school is. as mentioned earlier, the memorial near the school continues to grow. if you see these christmas trees, every single one of them represents one of the victim's. it is a very powerful way to remember those who lost their lives here. a lot of folks are breaking down in tears while they are there thinking especially of the children who were murdered just

down that road three days ago. live in newtown conn. abc7 news. >> parents across the country sent their children to school today with heavy hearts and nervousness. extra police patrols kid be seen outside many schools, including those in the metro area -- could be seen outside many schools, including those in the metro area. we have a look at how all schools are handling extra security. >> patrols were increased before and after school today in speaking from local representatives from school districts across the region, they say they are giving added attention to what are already very strong security measures at each school in each district. however the sadness and fear still remain. on this bleak back to school monday they are feeling it is the rule rather than the exception. >> everyone is feeling very

vulnerable. >> his daughter as in kindergarten at a school in marysville. >> , a think the schools are safe -- i think the schools are safe here. >> after newtown nothing seems certain. >> in fairfax and northern virginia, police are increasing patrols before and after school wanting to show parents that they are visible and vigilant. >> we want to make sure the community does realize we are there. >> that is the message from towns big and small, let them freeze in southern prince william's -- >> he was afraid. >> he is talking about a third grader named maurice. >> he just it -- you just wanted to reach out and hug him and say, hey, we are here for you. >> it is impossible, i think, to

have the schools' 100% secure. >> police plan to increase patrols tomorrow and possibly later into the week. meanwhile governor mcdonnell announced the formation of a school safety task force in response to what happened in newtown, conn. with the intention and effort of making schools across virginia as safe as possible. live in fairfax county, juppe kohlberg. >> so, the gun-control debate is now stronger than ever. can we expect people to start limiting gun purchases? our correspondent is live where hundreds turned in guns over the weekend. >> that is right. there's a lot of talk about an assault weapons ban. gun sales are up, but these buy back programs are very popular

in the wake of the tragedy in connecticut. as the gun-control debate heats up -- >> it is a scary path to go down. >> firearms customers say they are buying now while they still can. >> i do not know what laws they are going to pass, but i can see some very restrictive laws coming about. >> no local stores are releasing sales figures, but northern virginia gun shops showed us that they had more sales of the weekend. >> i am fearful of not having to protect myself. >> the tragedy in connecticut has had another effect. gun bob? . they are getting a huge response. >> people are saying what happened in connecticut really did have an effect on them. >> the program in prince george's townie netted 160

weapons. >> that is 160 weapons where someone could decide in the heat of the moment they were going to use it to hurt someone. >> gun owners say they will continue to fight for their rights. >> taking guns away is not the answer. guns are just a tool. >> one couple that was done shopping told us that many of the stores are so busy, they had to go from store to store to get service. live from palmer park, richard reid abc7 news. >> our coverage will continue at 5:00 tonight as well. for closer look, you can go to our website -- wjla.com. leon? >> we switched gears and go on to the ongoing drama of the fiscal cliff. there are tonight's of the -- there are signs of potential

progress. john boehner and president obama met at the white house in the hopes of working out a deal. boehner offered an increase in tax rates for people making more than $1 million a year. it was on the condition that the president agreed to $1 trillion in spending cuts. now let's turn to the weather. it has been a dreary day to day. >> that is a good word for it. chief neurologist doug hill is your. hi doug. >> you will have to wait for tomorrow. it is pretty foggy outside the belfort furniture weather center. rain to the west rain to the south, and it looks like very little rain, maybe just a few showers tonight. the fog will continue. the average temperature 52 in

washington now. 54 degree in -- 54 degrees in fredericksburg. outside dwi marshall -- quite a bit of disruption to air traffic. 0 visibility -- zero visibility reported in aberdeen. we have an advisory until 6:00 a.m. it looks like it will be expanded later tonight with the fog getting thicker in spots. pettifog and showers. and the clearing gets underway tomorrow. we will have an update in a couple minutes. >> all right. fire ripped through a maryland apartment building, forcing residents to jump out of their windows. the daring rescue, still ahead. >> why the families of one of the redskins players were arrested after the game with cleveland yesterday. >> an

>> police are investigating what happened to a man found dead in a park next to a d.c. school. at the body was found in northeast washington. natasha barrett is live to

explain why police believe this man was killed. >> police say this man's body has no relationship to the school right next to it. and the principle of this elementary schools sent a letter home to -- principal of this elementary school sent a letter home to parents. children will remain inside while this investigation goes on this week. the woman walking her dog found a man's body in fort lincoln park and called 911. >> you know. i wanted to see what was going on behind me. >> the part is right beside thurgood marshall elementary school in northeast d.c. all students were inside the school when the discovery was made. another woman who walks by said she was there yesterday and saw nothing. investigators say that the man had to be killed some time

yesterday afternoon -- between yesterday afternoon and this morning. >> there was a street sign. >> investigators used police dogs to search for evidence. they found identification on the man and say he lives in d.c. >> one interesting note on this story is the police to present town home not too far from the place where the body was found. as far as the murderer goes, no one is saying how he was killed -- as far as the murderer goes, no one is saying how he was killed. no motive at this point. abc7 news. >> thank you. alexandria police have recovered a stolen cruiser found in prince george's county. they say a laptop is missing from inside. they have recovered a second cruiser's stolen over the

weekend from princes street and alexandria. police are trying to work out whether these cases are related. >> the redskins got a 38 to 21 win. family members were taken away in handcuffs. the cleveland man spoke about the incident this morning. >> it is my understanding from the moment they got out of their car, you know, they were harassed by browns fans, even all the way up into the stadium. had a 13-year-old cousin hit in the face prior to the game. >> they started attacking our family. >> the redskins linebacker says his mother was hospitalized with neck injuries. she did not suffer a heart

attack, which was the first report. they say that the redskins -- that the security escalated the situation rather than diffusing a. >> wow. and the weather, it is very drury. >> very jury. it will be in the upper 50's, sunshine breezy. hang in there. let's look at the weatherbug reports. our average high is 47. these values are a little above average. 51 in the district right now. a light easterly wind. 48 degrees. rainfall does a little bit more than a trace 0.02 inches. even though we have not mentioned showers, they are more of an incident then our rule.

except for northeast of the city, that has been hanging tough all day -- we have fog. we have a flood advisory until tomorrow morning. if things -- fog advisory until tomorrow morning. if things do not change, i would not be a bit surprised to see this advisory expanded to the west and south. you do not get much lower than 0.0 visibility. that is the average in aberdeen. 4 miles -- right now down the river here at reagan national airport. we are kind of stock. not much motion in the atmosphere. stopped in this very damp, dense air. temperatures will fall a little bit overnight. 35 in burlington, vt.. you get out to the midwest and lakes, it gets colder. if you give far enough out west,

it's really really cold. there is plenty of cold air. there is something like 56 below zero in for you kind, alaska's. the cold air is locked up. the cold air is going to change the jet stream. in the meantime, this is the futurecast. i think we are going to clear up breezy and mild. and the next cold front on the way later thursday and friday. areas of fog tonight. areas of fog in the morning. then at the front it goes from the east-southeast, north- northwest. it will be very mild. 55 in the afternoon. as we had through the afternoon it will pleasant to be it -- it will turn out to be a pleasant weather the. thursday, the clouds return.

that will give us a 60% chance of rain developing through the day and evening and nighttime hours. partly cloudy and windy. some parts of the area might even see flurries on friday. it will settle down to a much more pleasant weekend more december-like with partly cloudy skies. >> we will enjoy the sun. >> it will be nice to see arch campbell. he will show us which new movie brought in the big boxucks. >> the problem you need to know about before you file your taxes. >> and its is the busiest mailing day of the year. what you need to know how to make sure your christmas gifts

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>> well, it is hard to believe this, but only eight more days until christmas. and the last-minute shopping and shipping at blitz has begun. >> we went out to see how busy the post offices did get today. ashley, what did you see out there? >> the alliance continue even

now. at this post office in alexandria folks are just getting off work, and now they are trying to mail out those last-minute gifts. the lunch break was not long enough for maurice smith. thanks to a last-minute rush of holiday shippers. >> it looks like it is coming to an extended lunch break. but it is worth it. >> because smith and others want their kids to make it to friends and families by christmas day. it is the busiest of mailing day of the year. >> why, today? just because i did not get done over the weekend. i wanted to get it off my checklist of things to do. >> the line was long. even those who opted to use the self-service machines and had to wait. most expected worse. >> not as bad as i anticipated. >> great, it was actually a surprise. it was really quick.

>> the long lines are expected to continue all week with friday the last day to ship using ups next day air. there is a way to avoid the long lines. take advantage of free shipping the. more than 1600 retailers are offering free shipping. she says that her weight was not too bad compared to the passed. >> i think they were prepared for all of this. >> free shipping from all of those retailers really is a dream come true for those procrastinating. you can save a lot on shipping costs and retailers guarantee that items that you buy today online will make it by christmas eve. many locations are staying open longer hours and on sunday. reporting live in alexandria, at

abc7 news. >> ok. still ahead at 5:00 reject more big news for the sexiest man alive -- still ahead at 5:00 more big news for the sexiest man alive. >> people injured jumping from a burning building. >> what is being done to protect children

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captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org-- >> you were watching abc 7 news at 5:00, on your side. >> a fire at an apartment building. >> the fire was so intense residents had to jump from the second story. brad bell has more on the daring fire rescue. >> that assad of this 100--- the facade of this 100-year-old building is still standing. they had to make a life and death decision. 21 people had to jump from second and third story windows just to stay alive. >> you open the door and there is smoke and you physically cannot breathe. you have no option. >> he went out of his third floor window and found safety on the roof of an adjoining structure.

he could hear his neighbor screaming for help. >> i thought people were dying and i felt totally helpless. >> they heard screams and far worse as they ran to help. >> you could hear people jumping off of the building and it sounded like a slab of meat. people were falling so far. >> she drove of the and to rescue children from a second- floor window. it was not until firefighters took over that her group took this video. even be a veteran at the fire chief says he had never seen such are. >> broken legs, broken ankles, dislocated body parts. it is rough. >> and watch this. that arson detection dog smelled gasoline on rubble from a fire.

according to sources investigators believe this is a case of arson. survivor brian phillips was stunned to learn that news, but also reflective. >> i am thankful to be alive. >> investigators are looking into the possibility that the fire was set as a result of a domestic dispute. officially it is listed as "under investigation." all 21 people injured are expected to survive. in cambridge, md., abc7 news. >> arlington county police have charged a marymount university student with the stabbing of another student. francis mcgwire was arrested friday night. the victim was found in the hallway of the dorm room. additional alcohol and narcotics charges are pending. >> we're following the latest

coming out of newtown, conn. where officials are saying that adam lanza had no connection to sandy hook elementary school. that makes finding a motive even more difficult. as investigators continue their work the first funerals took place today. jack pinto and noah pozner, both six years of age, were laid to rest today. the school is designated as a crime scene. it could be months before a state police released control of its. there was extra police presence outside up -- outside of schools across the country in the wake of friday's shooting. we have looked at how some maryland schools have handled extra patrols today. >> not only were there extra patrols, but extra counselors on duty with a highly unusual day in a gum lee county and prince george's county. at the start and at the end of

the day, heavy police presence at many montgomery county schools. still not enough to ease the anxiety felt by many parents as they drop their children of. >> are you going to see them tonight? are you going to be able to hold them? >> many of the schools' increased security. several lab security measures that are integral to sandy hook elementary school in connecticut. visitors have to be buzzed in. >> you feel secure, right? >> absolutely. and at the school they have a list of what to do. they have like a red coat or a blue code. >> [indiscernible] >> schools in prince george's county observed a moment of silence for the victims and flags stood at half staff.

>> there have been no threats against the schools in this area or in this region that we are aware of. >> parents are aware that there is only so much security can do to protect their children from violence. >> how can something so normal turnout like -- i don't know. i had even thought about homeschooling. >> as you may remember, columbine changed out many schools approached security. and once again, officials in montgomery county and prince george's county are reevaluating their security. abc7 news. >> thank you. the sandy hook elementary shooting coverage continues tonight at 6:00 and on abc world news including the new discussion on mental illness after friday's shooting. >> time for a check on our traffic situation tonight.

>> we are seeing the latest -- delays in a lot of areas not really affected by the fog. the camera on duke street near washington boulevard. that is 95 south. that is from dale city through quantico. wisconsin avenue is closed near nebraska avenue. there's a crash involving an overturned vehicle there. crossing the belt way to the legion bridge, traffic backed up to 123 cambridge road. the inner and outer loop at connecticut avenue both kind of slow. university boulevard a slow go. looks like additional activity off the side of the road on to 70. we see delays on 117 and new hampshire. report of an accident activity between the belt way and powder mill. back to you. >> all right.

coming up -- >> ♪ >> it cd but makes it a breakthrough. that is coming up. >> and 6:00, five years since a major bush to -- major push to

>> there is a rising star in d.c.. -- >> that is right. arch campbell is here to introduce us to the new dream girl. >> she is my new dream girl. every now and then, a local person will breakout, and you have to be glad. she has founded a signature theater and is the star of an outstanding production of "dreamgirls." "dreamgirls" takes its story from the true-life rise of the supremes in the 1960's and the replacement of one of the

singers. she takes on the role of effie the singer left behind. >> i am nova. >> if you travel the country in national tours of "smokey joe's cafe." >> there is no place like home. and i have been places. so, there's no place like home. >> "dreamgirls" delivers a star turn that could launch a major next step. >> i just want to enjoy. >> "the hobbit" open to blockbuster business of $85 million. and they have extended"dreamgirls" and i think you will hearnova's name over

and over again. look for the name. it is a great thing. >> we may be broadway balance. >> i think that is craig. >> excellent. >> ok, see you later. more entertainment news for you. the sexiest man alive -- channing tatum. remember him? and his wife are expecting their first child. >> i wonder why. [laughter] >> they had babies on the brain. they first met on the set of the dance movie "step up." >> 7 is on your side with recall store -- recalled toys you will want to avoid this christmas. >> is almost time to start talking about taxes and the problem of tax return [ male

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have to do with being healthy? everything. ♪ but you're not ♪ ♪ you're the one ♪ ♪ one, one, one, one, one ♪ ♪ the one ♪ ♪ one, one, one, one, one ♪ ♪ the one ♪ ♪ one, one, one... ♪ >> tax time is right around the corner really, and privacy

experts are bracing for the bp to of a huge problem. >> skimmers are stealing social security information and using it to file false returns. and the problem is worse than it has ever been. >> it was really frustrating. >> little did debbie know how frustrating it was going to be. she was one of an exploding number of americans to in the first nine months of this year had their tax refunds hijacked by identity thieves. >> i could get my taxes next year before i could even see my refund. i was frustrated. who do you go to when you're dealing with the irs? >> she called your congressman. after christmas and holland's office got involved, there was -- and after chris van hollen's

office got involved, there was progress. >> the irs cleared it. they cleared my account. >> nina patel is still waiting for hers after a scammer filed her tax return. it is keeping her from closing on her home. nearly 642,000 americans fell but them to tax refund at the thought -- identity theft. >> is out there. who knows who will use it again? >> i think we will see a repeat situations until the irs is dealing with it. that to take a year or longer. >> he is the chief privacy officer and recommends it reporting problems quickly but be patient.

>> it is pretty well-known that the irs is outgunned and undermanned when dealing with this problem. >> we asked the irs. date referred us to official testimony to congress which basically says they are aware of the problem and working on a. identity theft victims will be issued a pin #to file returns in 2013. >> 7 is on your side with a massive toy recall. the company doomcraft has recalled 1000 toys. they can become stuck in the intestines if swallowed and if there, they can cause severe day -- dehydration. 1 boy swallowed one of the toys

and had to have it surgically removed. >> we told you about the passing of wjla's founder and owner. the funeral was today in houston where he was born and grew up. our thoughts are with the entire family tonight. >> it is the end of an era. >> yes. >> let's see what is happening tonight at 6:00. >> let's check in with gordon peterson. >> hi, gordon. >> there may be some signs of a deal on the fiscal cliff, but senator harry reid has not made -- says not to make any plans for the day after christmas. and also, the restart -- the call for tougher gun laws and will there be any success in that call? we will see you soon.

>> we will see you in a few minutes. thank you. in prime time tonight, the extreme makeover home team -- you will see the big revealed at 8:00. that is followed by "castle." >> let's look at the weather makeover. >> we will need one of those. and i said i would not be surprised if they did not expand the fog advisor 8. yes, they did. luck. the fog was heavier and it picked -- heavier and at the bank it was just above the tree level. it is just above 0.0 in spots. 52 in lexington park. 54 in hagerstown. the advisory is expanded for all

the areas it shaded in gray. east of the blue ridge, well out to the i-95 corridor up to new york. visibility frequently drops below a quarter of a mile. that is what we have tonight. we will have a few spots of showers tonight. than a rapid recovery tomorrow. breezy pleasant, a bit cooler. gusty winds and cold stuff here for friday. we will let more for you coming up at 6:00 the bank back to your. >> ok. >> happy monday. [laughter] >> washington has a path in their step today because of the redskins game. and how about that? playoff tickets will go on sale december 27. beat stands now control their own destiny with -- the skins

now comptroller and destiny with two games to play. >> the doctors say that robert crippen the third is going to apply -- robert griffin iii is going to apply. >> of those questions linger, the redskins found plenty of answers yesterday with kirk cousins. after a shaky start the rookie quarterback look like a veteran. >> this is not my first rodeo. i played a lot of football in the big 10. you have to have character. you have to dig deep. >> jackson and fletcher each had an interception. this to the pressure off cousins. >> we had to take it away. with kirk making his first start, we wanted to make sure we did our part.

>> the redskins are now in first place. with two games left to play, washington controls its own destiny to a division title. >> it is a great feeling, but you cannot get to caught up in at. we have guts to take care of our own business. >> -- we have got to take care of our own business. >> for the most part, we are just happy about the victory. >> the redskins became the first team in the nfl when two different rookie quarterbacks when their first games in their first season since 1983. >> who could have called that? nobody did. >>

>> all long line and problems came along with a local toy giveaway today. >> jennifer is here to explain

what happened. tell us about a. >> things are still wrapping up. we have kids walking out of the church with toys in their hands. this began with the press release and the advertising on radio and tv, people this was first-come first certification. when they got here that as many problems began. >> they were trying to say, your name is not on the list and you will not receive a toy. >> mothers fathers, and grandparents were upset after a toy giveaway turned into a mess. the event was toasted by former nba star patrick ewing, marion barry, and it said first-come first certification. >> it did not say nobody had to be on a list or anything. >> the waiting families were told they were supposed to pre

register. >> there was no information at all. i feel like the community needs to know. i am upset. >> even those to pre registered or not told they had to bring their children. >> they did not say to bring their children. my children do not get out of school until 6:00. >> we were told several times the problems were due to miscommunication. >> a lot of people are upset outside. >> i know. unfortunately, we have gotten as many toys as possible. we are going to give them to as many children as possible. >> the evans said that no one would -- the event said that no one would go away empty handed. some would be getting their gifts in the name. >> we're taking names and addresses. >> it turns out all is well that ends well. as you can see, these children are walking out with gifts in

their hands. it turns out that they had deaths -- gifts inside. so the kids who waited for hours actually appeared better and got multiple gifts. >> all's well that ends well. the news at 6:00 starts now. >> live and in hd, this is abc 7 news 6:00, on your side. >> police in newtown conn. say two adults survived wounds from the rampage at sandy hook elementary school. that shooting left 26 people dead including 21st graders. police are seizing boxes of items from the home of shooter adam lanza. whatever answers they find, it may not be enough to explain what inspired such violence. two